Butterfly Sympathy Card

I had a good time this weekend at the retreat reconnecting with crafty friends. I spent part of the time coloring and the rest working on my digital photos. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked (some yucky personal stuff keeps affecting me), but so appreciated the chance to escape into the crafty world. Plus I won a few door prizes which is always exciting.

A good friend of my hubby's wife passed away this weekend. I wanted to make a special card for the family and turned to my go to sympathy sets from PaperTrey Ink. I have a huge association with butterflies as our loved ones who have passed on and find them so appropriate for sympathy cards.

Sketch Inspiration ~ My Grafico Sketch #36

Color Inspiration ~ A Passion for PaperTrey ~ Black and White

I meant to stick to black and white, but ivory kind of overtook the white.

Inspiration

Little Red Wagon #16 ~ Ribbon

Simon Says Challenge ~ Recipe (3 types of embellishments, 2 patterned papers, 1 image) My embellishments are 1) Ribbon, 2) Butterfly Punch and 3) Vellum Wedding Favor Butterfly; the 2 papers are the butterfly base and the dotted panel; and I used a verse as my image.

Belli Challenge #85 ~ Butterflies & Dragonflies

Corrosive Challenge #52 ~ Wings

KL Stampin N Scrapin Challenge ~ Go Green We were to recycle an element in our card. The wide grossgrain ribbon was secured on a small bag of candy I received at Christmas time. I've been holding on to it for the perfect card.

 My Creation

I know this is really ivory and black, but when I saw the butterfly paper I knew it was perfect for my card and hope the PT girls will understand. :o)

Image Detail

My butterfly is double layered. The bottom piece is a wedding decoration I picked up at Michael’s and I used my new Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly punch for the top layer.

Inside of Card

I used a verse from PTI’s With Sympathy set and their small butterfly.

INS AND OUTS ~ Butterfly Sympathy Card
Stamps: Through the Trees & With Sympathy (PaperTrey Ink)
Paper: DCWV LaCreme Stack, The Paper Studio Butterfly print, Misc Black, Neenah Classic White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: SU Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Recycled Ribbon, Ivory Chocolate Butterfly (Brides), Monarch Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart)
Challenges:
My Grafico Sketch #36
A Passion for PaperTrey ~ Black and White
Little Red Wagon #16 ~ Ribbon
Simon Says Challenge ~ Recipe
Belli Challenge #85 ~ Butterflies & Dragonflies
Corrosive Challenge #52 ~ Wings
KL Stampin N Scrapin Challenge ~ Go Green

Simple Take on CPS Sketch 154

I’m on a roll with my Through the Trees cards. I should probably ink up one of the other cards in the set, but I’m in love with this ‘window view’ of the bare branches.

I’m attending a craft weekend and am forcing myself to spend most of the time working on my digital photos. I have about 5 years of pictures on my computer that need to be sorted and cleaned up. I kept thinking I could take care of it in my ‘free time’, but that doesn’t seem to happen. So, my laptop is packed and ready to get to work. I did pack a ‘small’ bag of images and my Copics in case I need to get inky. Typically when I attend a weekend crop, my DH has to help me set up (I pretty much bring in most of my craft studio). He called me this morning to see if I was ready and started laughing when I said, “I’m all packed and hardly have anything to bring.” Can you believe he doubted me? I think he was crushed I wasn’t going to plead for his manly muscles to help me out. The down side is that I’ll have spent 22 hours dedicated to crafting (tonight and tomorrow) and won’t have any cards to share. But, I should have my photos all ready for scrapbooking.

Okay, on to my quick and simple card…thanks for hanging in there with my ramblings.

Sketch Inspiration ~ CPS Sketch #154

Inspiration ~ Pals Paper Arts ~ KISS 

KISS stands for Keep it Simple Sweetie, and this card is all about the paper. A few layers, a simple stamped image and flower 'embellishments' cut out from the DP.

My Creation

INS AND OUTS ~ Simple Take on CPS Sketch 154
Stamps: Through the Trees (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: DCWV Cafe Mediterranean
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, SU Marker Taken with Teal
Accessories: None
Challenges:
CPS Sketch #154
Pals Paper Arts ~ KISS

The Spring Through The Trees

In an effort to use up my scraps instead of just tossing them into the 'someday' bucket, I opted to make a few more cards with the papers I had out. I also had a few extra Through The Trees images ready to go so this card came together very quickly.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Friday Sketchers #89

Color Inspiration ~ Spring

Like much of the country we've expirenced our fair share of snow. One of my favorite signs of spring is when the trees start to bud. It seems like one day they are just bare branched, and the next leaves have sprung to life. I used bright colors for my card and added the birds to the bare branches to signify the coming of spring. It will get here, right?

Your Next Stamp Challenge #10 ~ Spring Colours

Inky Impressions Challenge #30 ~ Spring

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #91 ~ Spring is in the Air

Inspiration

Cupcake Craft Challenge #78 ~ Keep it Simple

Only ink and paper were used here, no embellisments - egad, not even glitter!

Pile it On Challenge #6 ~ Flowers

I used some fun flowered designer papers. The yellow base actually has a tone on tone flower pattern, but it doesn't show up very clearly.
Our Creative Challenge ~ Something Old that’s New

You are to use something you’ve had in stash for awhile but never used. Well, I just HAD to buy a new set of SU Markers almost 6 months ago (there was a really great promo and I wanted a set that no one else could use) and it's been sitting gathering dust. I broke it in slightly, but just using one of the beautiful markers. I colored the birds with marker before stamping them on the branches.

My Creation

INS AND OUTS ~ The Spring Through The Trees
Stamps: Through the Trees (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: DCWV Cafe Mediterranean
Ink: Memento Summer Sky, SU Marker Taken with Teal
Accessories: None
Challenges:
Friday Sketchers #89
Your Next Stamp Challenge #10 ~ Spring Colours
Inky Impressions Challenge #30 ~ Spring
A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #91 ~ Spring is in the Air
Cupcake Craft Challenge #78 ~ Keep it Simple
Pile it On Challenge #6 ~ Flowers
Our Creative Challenge

One Card Two Ways

I fell in love with the IA sketch when it was posted and am happy I manged to play with it before the deadline. When I saw the challenge for There She Goes this week I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The challenge is to make 2 cards using identical images, but give one card a masculine feel and the other a feminine feel. Unfortunately I needed a few sympathy cards. I’ve very please with how they turned out and urge you to give the challenges a try. What do you think?

Sketch Inspiration ~ Inspiration in Action Sketch Challenge #119

I used the same sketch for both cards. It was PERFECT for multiples and I’ll be sure to use it again.

Color Inspiration

My Grafico Challenge #36 ~ Plaid out!

My masculine card includes plaid paper.

Stamping 411 Color Inspiration #110

I used the colors from this challenge for my feminine card. I added the pop of pink with the butterfly and bow. The bedding set was the inspiration for the color combo.

Inspiration

There She Goes Challenge #42 ~ He/She Card

Charisma Cardz ~ Male

All Sorts Challenge ~ Recipe 3, 2, 1 (3 of one thing, 2 of another and 1 more)

My masculine card fills this challenge. There are 3 designer papers, 2 forms of ribbon and 1 image.

Hand Full of Stamps #16 ~ Open the Fun Any creation is welcome.

My Creation

Inside of Cards

INS AND OUTS ~ One Card Two Ways
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Through the Trees, With Sympathy)
Paper: DCWV Natural & Café Mediterranean Stacks, Kraft, Neenah Classic Natural White
Ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa, Summer Sky, Bamboo Leaves), SU Positively Pink
Accessories: Shirleys2Girls Velvet Rick Rack Ribbon, Twine, Misc Ribbon, SU Grosgrain Ribbon
Challenges:
Inspiration in Action Sketch Challenge #119
My Grafico Challenge #36 ~ Plaid out!
There She Goes Challenge #42 ~ He/She Card
Charisma Cardz ~ Male
All Sorts Challenge ~ Recipe 3, 2, 1
Stamping 411 Color Inspiration #110
Hand Full of Stamps #16

Valentine in a Bottle

I’ve heard of using empty beverage containers as fun ways to mail something and thought this would be a fun way to send a Valentine to someone very special in my life. I think this would be so much fun to receive in my mailbox and am sure she'll be thrilled.

Color Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 345 ~ Ad Inspired

The colors, hearts and LOTS of pieces inspired my bottle filled with love.

Inspiration

LOVE/VALENTINES: Everybody Art Challenge #78 ~ Valentine; Jacksonbelle Embellishments Tuesday Challenge ~ Love is in the Air; Simon Says Challenge ~ What’s Love Got To Do With It; Cute Card Thursday #99 ~ In the Name of Love

Creative Inspirations #47 ~ Anyone for Leftovers? (Use scraps - all the 'fillings' in my bottle were punched from scraps.)

365 Cards Day 311 ~ Find a Substitute (Substitute a word with an image; my secret message has a heart for the word love.)

My Creation

Here's the rolled up secret message tucked in the bottle.

And a close up of the pile of punched love to cushion the note.

INS AND OUTS ~ Valentine in a Bottle
Stamps: SU Happy Heart
Paper: Scraps
Ink: Versamark, SU Real Red, SU Pastels
Accessories: Misc Punches, Empty Pop Bottle
Challenges:
365 Cards Day 345 ~ Ad Inspired
Everybody Art Challenge #78 ~ Valentine
Jacksonbelle Embellishments Tuesday Challenge ~ Love is in the Air
Simon Says Challenge ~ What’s Love Got To Do With It
Creative Inspirations #47 ~ Anyone for Leftovers?
365 Cards Day 311 ~ Find a Substitute
Cute Card Thursday #99 ~ In the Name of Love

Transparent Friends

I've wanted to make a transparent card for ages (again, I'd seen them on other blogs but was too intimidated to try). How exciting to have the fixings for one in a card kit. I really like how it turned out and feel confident to try more. The only thing I don't like is that my tape adhesive shows through on the back. I know it's futzy, but I like to try and keep things clean. I'll have to try different adhesives and see what I can figure out.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness #40

Inspiration

ABC Challenge ~ N is for New Just broke out my spanking new card kit for the month!

Stamp Something Challenge ~ Love Somethings

Pile it On Challenge #5 ~To the One you Love

Flourishes Challenge ~ What’s Your Cup of Tea Be inspired by your favorite beverage - I used the warm color of tea throughout my card.

Crafty Creations #54 ~ Friends

My Creation

Image Detail

The verse is stamped in Stazon on the outside of the card (the clear base).

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ Transparent Friends
Stamps: SU Vintage Vogue
Paper: SU (Creamy Caramel, Not Quite Navy, Bella Blue, Natual)
Ink: SU (Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel), Stazon On Black
Accessories: SU Twine and Ribbon
Challenges:
Midnight Madness #40
ABC Challenge ~ N is for New
Stamp Something Challenge ~ Love Somethings
Pile it On Challenge #5 ~To the One you Love
Flourishes Challenge ~ What’s Your Cup of Tea
Crafty Creations #54 ~ Friends

Medallion Birthday

I've been IN LOVE with SU's Medallion stamp since I first saw it featured on someone's blog. I hesitated to buy it because I kept thinking, 'Seriously, what can I do but just have this giant circle on my cards.' Well, the more I saw it being used, the greater my desire to own it became. Here's my first card (with card kit supplies) using the image.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Get Sketchy #24

Inspiration

365 Cards Day 343 ~ Interacting Images (Use two separate images from different sets/companies and make them interact. I used images from SU's Wanted with their Medallion stamp.)

My Creation

Image Detail

The center punched out images are from Wanted and pair perfectly with the larger Medallion image.

INS AND OUTS ~ Medallion Birthday
Stamps: SU Medallion and Wanted
Paper: SU (Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue)
Ink: SU (Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip)
Accessories: SU Chocolate Satin Ribbon, SU Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, SU Pretties Kit
Challenges:
Get Sketchy #24
365 Cards Day 343 ~ Interacting Images

Razzle Birthday

Another fun card from a kit. I haven’t played with the SU In Colors yet this year and realized I really need to get them ordered! I LOVE Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay…ooh and the Rich Razzleberry is so scrumptious as well!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Sweet Sketch Wednesday #36

Inspiration

365 Cards Day 342 ~That’s Familiar (Put a full image on the outside of the card, and a snippet on the inside. I used the cake image in the inside and added a punched out message over it.)

Allsorts Challenge #38 ~ Get Distressed with Buttons and a Bow

365 Cards Day 346 ~ Tuesday’s Trio: Scallops, Ribbon, Ink Distressing I used ink distressing along all my edges.

PaperPlay Challenge 2010 Week 6 ~ Birthday for Someone Special This is for a sweet friend of mine who loves purples and pinks.

My Creation

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ Razzle Birthday
Stamps: SU Happy Memories
Paper: SU (Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Whisper White)
Ink: SU Markers (Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay)
Accessories: SU Button, SU Bermuda Bay Ribbon, SU Word Window Punch
Challenges:
Sweet Sketch Wednesday #36
Allsorts Challenge #38 ~ Get Distressed with Buttons and a Bow
365 Cards Day 342 ~ That’s Familiar
365 Cards Day 346 ~ Tuesday’s Trio
PaperPlay Challenge 2010 Week 6

Heartfelt Thanks

Wahoo! It’s time to put together my February SU card kit! I love my SU supplies and have LOTS, but it seems I never really play with them unless I’m working with the card kit from my demonstrator. I need to start setting aside a day a week just for SU, let’s see how that goes. :o)

Sketch Inspiration ~ CPS Card Sketches #153 I rotated the sketch for my card so the panels are vertical.

Color Inspiration

CCEE Inspiration Challenge  Find inspiration from ImageKind website. I picked this poster for inspiration. 

Inspiration

Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge #1 ~ Hearts

Hearts you ask? Where are they? Well, if you look closely the flower ‘petals’ are actually hearts.

My Creation

Image Detail ~ Now can you see the hearts in the petals?

INS AND OUTS ~ Heartfelt Thanks
Stamps: SU With All My Heart, SU Dot…Dot…Dot
Paper: SU (Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Natural)
Ink: SU (Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue)
Accessories: SU Linen Thread and Ribbon, SU Flower & Circle Punches
Challenges:
CPS Card Sketches #153
CCEE Inspiration Challenge
Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge #1 ~ Hearts

Motivational Frame

A friend of asked me to make this for her to give as a gift. She was greatly inspired by Rose Kennedy's story. Mrs. Kennedy was once asked, "How can you go on in the face of all the tragedy that has befallen you?" She replied, "I believe it is a matter of will – God’s will and my will. Early in life I decided that I would not be overcome by events. My philosophy has been that, regardless of the circumstances, I shall not be vanquished, but will try to be happy. Life is not easy for any of us. But it is a continual challenge, and it is up to us to be cheerful – and to be strong, so that those who depend on us may draw strength from our example."

After learning the story, I was also inspired and have personally adopted I WILL NOT BE VANQUISHED as my mantra. No matter what life throws at me, I am confident God will lead me through it and I stay focused on doing my part and not letting anyone or any circumstance beat me down.

Sketch Inspiration ~ OCC Sketch Challenge

I rotated the sketch and opted not to tilt my panel. I tried it, but I liked the feel of the straight verse better.

Inspiration

Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52E ~ Frame it UP

Belli Challenge #84 ~ Ribbons

My Creation

INS AND OUTS ~ Motivational Frame
Paper: DCWV
Verse: Computer Generated
Accessories: Nesties, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Frame
Challenges:
OCC Sketch Challenge
Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52E ~ Frame it UP
Belli Challenge #84 ~ Ribbons

Citrus-ey Birthday

I needed a quick card for a coworker and thought bright, citrus colors would be welcomed amid our current snow storm.It came out very cheery and I know will bring a smile to my co-worker's face. They work in another office so I tried to keep it simple enough to be a postcard for the 365 Cards Challenge. I'll have to ask the recipient if it arrived without getting mutilated by the post office machines.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

Color Inspiration

Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52C ~ Birthday card using Citrus colors

Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 329 ~ Pretty Postcard

It was a bit tricky for me to keep this flat enough to mail as a postcard instead of safely tucked in an envelope.  I made sure all my layers were very securely glued down and will hope for the best.

My Creation

INS AND OUTS ~ Citrus-ey Birthday
Stamps: SU Verse
Paper: Bazzill CS and scrap DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Yellow Stickles, Flower Punch
Challenges:
Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge
Flourishes New Release CHALLENGE FTTC52C by Dee ~ Birthday card using Citrus colors
365 Cards Day 329 ~ Pretty Postcard

Happy Birthday Zach

Wahoo! Today is my nephew’s 20th birthday. I couldn’t be a prouder auntie as he’s taking the steps into adulthood. This pic is a few years old, but it’s one of my favorites. He’s very talented musically (vocally, instrumentally, etc.) I usually make a music themed card, but opted for a friendly kitty this year. I did you use the DCWV Rockstar stack, although he’ll never know that. Wouldn't this pic make a great album cover?

Sketch Inspiration ~ Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52A by Cindy

Color Inspiration ~ Copic Colour Challenge #50

 Inspiration

Shirleys2Girls Challenge #42 (Use the word party, birthday or celebrate on card)

Penny Black Challenge #86 ~ Someone Special

My Grafico Challenge #34 ~ Metal

My Creation

Image Detail

INS AND OUTS ~ Happy Birthday Zach
Stamps: Penny Black Fun Times Cat Birthday
Paper: Neenah Classic Solar White, DCWV Rockstar Stack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (W1; E09, 11, 17, 41; RV32), Spicas (Chocolate, Garnet), White Gel Pen
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Metal Word Birthday (JoAnns), Nestabilities (Circle and Square)
Challenges:
Flourishes New Release Challenge
Copic Colour Challenge #50
Shirleys2Girls Challenge #42 (Use the word party, birthday or celebrate on card)
Penny Black Challenge #86 ~ Someone Special
My Grafico Challenge #34 ~ Metal

Cupcake Chimp Valentine

I’ve been waiting to use this image and had fun playing with my chimp. I adore Dustin Pike’s artwork and this little guy is so cute. I though it would be a fun Valentine and the Popsicle stick sentiment matched perfectly

Sketch Inspiration ~ Doodle Dragon Challenge #2

Color Inspiration ~ Color Throwdown #78

Inspiration

High Hopes Challenge #61 ~ Valentines

SophistiCat Challenge #20 ~ Love

Hand Full of Stamps #15 ~ You Animal (Use an animal image)

My Creation

Image Detail

I added Spica sparkle sprinkles and diamond glaze to the cherry.

Inside of Card

Now that I’ve converted to the Cuttlebug, it’s SO much easier to use my Nesties. I love using them to jazz up the inside of a card. Quick and simple, just my style.

INS AND OUTS ~ Cupcake Chimp Valentine
Stamps: Cherry Chip Chimp (High Hopes – Dustin Pike)
Paper: DCWV Sweet Stack, Kraft, Strathmore White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (E29, 31, 50; B00, 41; R29; RV32), Spicas (Blossom, Chocolate, Baby Blue, Clear, Red), White Gel Pen
Accessories: Diamond Glaze, Misc Gems, Popsicle Sticks (Colorbok)
Challenges:
Doodle Dragon Challenge #2
Color Throwdown #78
High Hopes Challenge #61
SophistiCat Challenge #20
Hand Full of Stamps #15

Reading Angel Valentine

I’m always on the look out for a bargain. One of my favorite shopping spots is Goodwill. I have a great store (about 45 miles from me) who gets all of Target’s discontinued items. Do all Goodwill’s do this or am I just lucky? Anyway, I can usually find some great bargains in the craft aisle, although I do have to do some digging as it’s not always that organized. I’ve found brand new Stamping Up and Creative Memories products for just a few dollars! Today I used a Hallmark Valentine (there were 6 cards for $0.99) that was sold at Target originally. The cards are simple with the preprinted heart ‘flowers’ and verse. As soon as I saw them I knew they’d be a great base for a more personal creation. Plus they came with silver envelopes!

TIP: Stop at your local thrift stores and you might just find inspiration for pennies!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Card Patterns Sketch #49

Color Inspiration ~ All About Pink

365 Cards Day 338

Pink: The Pink Elephant Challenge #52 ~ All About Pink

Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52D by Silke

Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge #15 ~ Pink & Bling I used glitter cardstock and lots of Spica on my image to make it sparkle, plus the silver charms shine things up.

Inspiration

LOVE:

Whiff of Joy Challenge #65 , Papertake Weekly Challenge, Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #68 ~ Hearts

365 Cards Day 341 ~ Substitution Please We were to use a heart instead of a flower on card. See the 2 heart flowers dangling from their vine at the top of the card?

CHARMS: I picked up a set of 5 heart charms in the clearance jewelry section at Wal-Mart.

CCEE Stampers Challenge ~ Hearts & a Charm , Inky Impressions #29 ~ Charms , Your Next Stamp Challenge #9 ~ Charms

365 Cards Day 328 ~ I’m a Frayed Knot

My Creation

I usually work hard to NOT have frayed ribbon, but I really like this look.

TIP: I keep a lighter in my tool caddy and run the flame VERY CAREFULLY over the ends of ribbons that aren’t hidden on the card. This works best on grosgrain and ‘melts’ the ends so they won’t fray.

Image Detail ~ Can you see the sparkle?

INS AND OUTS ~ Reading Angel Valentine
Stamps: Reading Angel (Whiff of Joy)
Paper: Neenah Classic Solar White, DCWV Glitter, Hallmark card as base
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (RV000, 21, 29; R000; Y000, 11, 21; E00, 50; C00; N0), Spicas (Buttermilk, Lavender, Pink, Blossom, Clear), White Gel Pen
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Misc Charms
Challenges:
Card Patterns Sketch #49
365 Cards Day 338
The Pink Elephant Challenge #52
Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge #15
Flourishes New Release Challenge FTTC52D
Whiff of Joy Challenge #65
Papertake Weekly Challenge
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #68
365 Cards Day 341
CCEE Stampers Challenge
Inky Impressions #29
Your Next Stamp Challenge #9
365 Cards Day 328